‘Violent scream’ came from Liam Payne’s room before he plunged to his death: hotel guest
A guest staying at the same property as Liam Payne claimed they heard “a really loud, violent scream” coming from the One Direction alum’s room at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before he plummeted from his third-floor balcony.
The person said they heard “a lot of noise” coming from Payne’s room, including sounds like “heavy lifting” or “banging.”
“I thought it was construction. I thought they were working on the room,” the hotel guest told People on Thursday, just one day after Payne’s shocking death.
They also claimed to have witnessed the hotel’s staff “going in and out” of Payne’s room, alleging that “more noise” was made around 4:30 p.m.
Minutes into the chaos, the guest said they “heard a really loud, violent scream.”
The hotel patron told the outlet he “heard sirens” but didn’t connect the dots until he “came down the elevator” and saw the “whole street was full of cop cars.”
Police were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m., with Payne shortly dying after the 911 call was made by the hotel’s frantic chief receptionist, who begged the operator for “urgent” assistance.
In the chilling audio, he claimed the singer was “on drugs and alcohol” and “breaking up the whole room.” He also expressed fear that Payne would harm himself, noting he had a balcony.
“We need you to send someone urgently because, well, I don’t know if this guest’s life is at risk. They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk,” the receptionist stated.
Payne died on Oct. 16 at 31, with officials initially saying he “had jumped from the balcony of his room” at CasaSur Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, the autopsy report said he had fallen.
Communications Director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, Pablo Policicchio, told Page Six that investigators are still determining if Payne’s fall was an accident or intentional.
Responding officers discovered Payne’s hotel room in disarray.
Photos showed his television smashed, a half-glass of champagne and drug paraphernalia scattered in the room and bathroom. The “Strip That Down” singer had struggled with substance abuse before and went to rehab as recently as last year.
In July 2023, he told fans he was six months sober.
The singer fractured his skull and died instantly of “very serious injuries,” medical officials confirmed on Thursday.
The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 16 also revealed that the position of Payne’s body and injuries indicated he “did not adopt a reflex posture to protect himself” and may have “fallen while in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.”
The coroner identified 25 injuries in the autopsy, per People, and revealed that “no defensive injuries were found,” nor did Payne’s injuries suggest a third party was involved.
A toxicology report is still pending.
Payne had been in Argentina with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, since the beginning of the month. They attended his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan’s Buenos Aires concert on Oct. 2.
Cassidy was not there when Payne died, as she fled back to the States two days before without him. In a TikTok video, she shared that their five-day vacation turned into two weeks, and she was “relieved” to be home.
The Post spoke exclusively with Cassidy’s father, who revealed “she’s grieving” the loss of her boyfriend, whom she dated for two years.
Payne’s family released a statement after his passing.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” his loved ones said. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Follow along with The Post’s coverage of Liam Payne’s tragic death at 31
His One Direction bandmates also broke their silence.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” the statement continued. “For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Payne leaves behind one child, son Bear, 7, whom he shared with his ex-girlfriend, Cheryl Cole.